SCI-137 CHAOS: The Self-Organizing Universe
An innovative introduction to Chaos which brings the new scientific paradigm to the undergraduate curriculum. Starting from geometric fractals describing trees, leaves, and snowflakes the quantitative understanding of fractals is achieved through laboratory exercises including modeling on computers. Relevance of the Chaos theory is explored across scientific disciplines, and extended to non-science areas such as communications, economics, and arts. This course fulfills a science elective course requirement for students whose primary area of study is other than the sciences; however, interested science/mathematics students can take this course as an elective.
Prerequisite
High School Algebra (Course I) or
MAT-097
Course Learning Outcomes
- Describe the main concepts related to Fractals, Chaos and Self-Organization
- Quantify Fractal dimensionality of structures and processes encountered in natural and artificial environments
- Evaluate applicability of the theoretical framework across the sciences
- Articulate the science of the 'whole' -- in contrast to the reductionist approach wherein objects and processes are broken down in to elemental parts and claim is made that the understanding of the smallest parts is tantamount to the understanding the whole
- Demonstrate an ability to relate mathematics to physical reality and vice versa
- Assess the limitations of what they know, and be able to seek further knowledge pertinent to the subject matter
- Explore and describe the use of these new paradigms in the social sciences, arts and humanities